Home / Environment / Malvan Coast Cleans Up: Divers Battle Marine Waste
Malvan Coast Cleans Up: Divers Battle Marine Waste
12 Dec
Summary
- Over 650 kg of marine waste removed near Sindhudurg Fort.
- Ghost nets entangled coral structures, threatening marine ecosystems.
- Community and government bodies collaborate for coastal conservation.
For the second year, the Malvan fishing community and environmentalists have united with government agencies to combat marine debris plaguing the Konkan coast. A recent cleanup drive, spanning December 9-10, saw divers retrieve approximately 650 kilograms of waste, including ghost nets, plastics, and fragments, from depths near Sindhudurg Fort. This marks the initiative's continuation under Phase II of the Marine Debris Cleanup Project, aiming to protect vital coral reef ecosystems.
The collaborative effort, spearheaded by Sagarshakti, involved multiple government bodies and local divers. Environmentalist Nandakumar Pawar noted the alarming entanglement of coral structures in ghost nets, stressing the impact of land-based waste on marine life. The collected debris, predominantly ghost nets, underscores the pervasive pollution affecting the region's biodiversity and the livelihoods dependent on it.
This initiative aims to foster community participation and awareness, advocating for sustainable waste management to safeguard marine biodiversity and local economies. The success of these drives emphasizes the critical need for stronger waste management systems and reduced plastic consumption at their source, ensuring the health of the Sindhudurg district's marine environment.
